ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions said its new policies to protect copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property that belong to its members will go into effect on June 1. The policies are designed to provide immediate onsite arbitration to resolve disputes over displays at the association's trade shows and in its publications. If an assigned arbitrator decides infringement has occurred, the IAAPA board of directors may terminate the offender's association membership.

Under the new policies, all exhibitors at IAAPA Attractions Expo and other events, as well as advertisers in IAAPA publications, will be required to sign an agreement that they will comply with the association's new policy and procedures on intellectual property. The PPIP lists rules that apply to activities taking place under the IAAPA umbrella. | SEE POLICIES

The new policies will also require companies to own the intellectual property of their featured products, or have the rights to sell that product on behalf of the owner -- and to provide sign statements attesting to such ownership or rights. By agreeing to the IAAPA policy, signers also agree to submit to a binding arbitration process for resolution of any disputes regarding documented allegations of infringement.

"Infringement issues or questions in the general marketplace are not within IAAPA's purview and will not be addressed through this process," officials said.

IAAPA said it continues to encourage members to register products, logos, names, and other trademarks with their national patent, trademark, and copyright office, and it recommends companies bring copies of these documents to trade shows and other events. The arbitration process will rely heavily on official documentation as well as marketing pieces that can help prove product ownership.

IAAPA will stage a members-only webinar on April 25 wherein attorneys from the Arent Fox law firm will provide an overview of the various intellectual property issues most relevant to the attractions industry and related products. IAAPA members can register free.

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions.